Special Events & Open Flame / Cooking

UCSC staff members at a campus staff appreciation barbecue

The following information is provided for hosting a special event and/or use of an open flame cooking device on the UCSC campus. A Special Event permit and/or an Open Flame / Cooking permit are required for events with the following conditions:

200 or more people attending

Use of space on campus in capacity other than its normal use

Use of Tents: Cumulative area greater than 400 sq. feet

Use of Canopies: Cumulative area greater than 400 sq. feet

Location includes a roadway, pathway or plaza used for access by emergency vehicles

Use of any kind of open flame (candles, torches, cooking devices, BBQs, pyrotechnics)

Use of compressed gas cylinders in vendor booths, cooking devices or any other function

All campus units wishing to host a special event and/or use of a open flame cooking device for any event must complete and submit at least 10 days prior to the event for approval by the Lead Designated Campus Fire Marshal. This form MUST be completed and submitted by a campus faculty or staff member - student organizations should have the form completed by the faculty/staff sponsor who has approved the event. Forms submitted by students (including RAs) will be rejected.

An approval email will be sent by the Deputy Fire Marshal if the event is approved. This approval must be kept on-site throughout the event.

The Lead Designated Campus Fire Marshal reserves the right to make site visits, obtain more specific information and provide further recommendations based on the circumstances of each individual event.

For further questions or concerns relating to special events, food trucks, and open flame cooking permits, please contact: